Posted by The WORD in other words (2009) by Sister Francis Grace Solis SSpS – Holy Spirit Academy of Irosin, Sorsogon
Saturday 32nd Week in Ordinary Time
Sayings such as “Water continually dripping will wear a hard rock hollow,” attributed to Plutarch, and “Victory belongs to the persevering,” attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte, emphasize the importance of perseverance and persistence. We learn from the lives of men and women who have made a difference in their respective fields that perseverance amid obstacles and challenges is essential. We can even learn perseverance from the smallest creatures.
A story is told of a man who fled from his enemies and took refuge in an old, dilapidated building. There he caught sight of a small ant carrying a grain larger than itself and struggling to climb to the top of a wall. The man watched the ant intently and counted the number of times the grain fell as the ant tried to climb. It fell sixty-seven times! Yet the ant continued until it finally managed to reach the top.
Watching the perseverance and persistence of the ant, the man realized that falling is not defeat; defeat comes when one refuses to get up again. He said to himself, “I am by no means inferior to an ant.” He then resolved to turn over a new leaf in his life.
Today’s Gospel tells us about the persistence and perseverance of a widow. She did not give up or become discouraged when an unjust judge, “who neither feared God nor respected any human being,” initially refused to help her (Luke 18:2). She continued asking him to “render a just decision” for her until he finally granted her request because of her persistence (Luke 18:3-5).
Saint Luke presents a similar lesson in the parable of the friend who came at midnight asking for bread. Jesus tells us that even if the man would not give him bread because of their friendship, “he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence” (Luke 11:8). In both parables, persistence plays an important role in obtaining what is sought.
Our Lord therefore reminds us of “the necessity for [us] to pray always without becoming weary” (Luke 18:1). Unlike the unjust judge or the reluctant neighbor in the parables, God is a loving Father. Jesus encourages us to pray with confidence: “Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Luke 11:9).
Saint Paul gives us the same encouragement when he says: “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Are we steadfast and persevering in prayer? Do we easily give in to discouragement when our prayers are not immediately answered? Do we trust that God hears our prayers and knows what is best for us?
Lord, help us to trust you more and to persevere in prayer. Amen.
